About in laws buying stuff

They go to America every 1.5/2 years and think we should let them buy all the boys clothes for the year while they're there.

I've told them if they see anything they like they can get them but they don't need to buy all their clothes.

They keep emailing me asking me to measure boys shoulder to shoulder, arm length, waist, leg length and in seam. I've emailed them back that the boys don't need much but if they really like something just get them a year up.

I would be over the moon but I am poor! My in laws buy lots of stuff but don't ask what we need it the size so we get lots of too small clothes. I would love it if I could give specific instructions to my mil-would save me lots of trips and credit notes from m and s.

Completely overstepping the boundaries and ignoring your wishes. Smacks of controlling behaviour rather than genuine heartfelt generosity. I start saying they don't need anything at all, or just one or two specific things that might be cheaper in the States - a Gap coat or a pair of Converse boots for e.g

It must be hard for them to live such a distance from their grandchildren. I would cut them some slack. They are possible trying to over- compensate because they don't have day to day involvement wit the children.If they lived half a mile away and were interfering constantly then I could see the issue. But they live a continent away- they are trying in their own way to be supportive.

The clothes - I'd imagine that as they're buying from America they just want to treble check the sizing as it's not as if you can nip it back if it's wrong - I would just do it tbh, it will take a few minutes tops.

The Christmas presents sounds fabulous and I wish my parents and MIL would do this. Instead they're insistent on choosing (and in my mums case keeping it as a 'surprise') meaning we frequently get doubles or stuff that I know the dc won't use a lot. I always have a much bigger list of stuff that I know the dc will love (but too much for one Xmas just from FC/us) so to be able to give 5 items of that list to Family would be great!

Yes I would be inclined to ask for a couple of specific things like two pairs of Converse or a winter coat. I would also be very upfront but kindly wording and state that I enjoy choosing my children's clothes and see it as a perk of motherhood so they understand not to buy loads of stuff.My mil used to buy my DC a winter coat every year and it used to annoy me as I always wanted to choose their coat as you see it everyday all winter long. I ended up buying them one earlier and earlier to beat her to it!

One thing I am learning (under the tutelage of BIL's partner, who is brilliant and copes effortlessly with them), is to nod, smile and accept a certain amount of behaviour, but then to draw clear and unambiguous boundaries where it really matters. So if they want to buy the kids clothes, send them the measurements. It's useful, and it lets them feel involved and presumably makes them happy, and it's got to be useful for you too, right?

But maybe draw a line at the financial stuff. 'It's very kind of you to offer, but we really don't need the help' is clear. If they push, you can add a reaction statement 'I feel a bit stressed by this coming up again: it's kind of you to offer, but we don't need the help and that's that.' And change the conversation to an intervention that is useful: 'That top you bought from the states for DS is brilliant! It washes really well'.

(In our case, PIL are always giving us junk that they can't bear to throw away. The last thing was a battery charger from 1982 with a broken lead and a load of batteries from the 1990s. We smile, thank them very much, then put them in the recycling when they are gone. It is MUCH easier than having a struggle over whether we accept them or not).

Have you told them directly you don't want them to buy more than a few things because you like to choose and buy the boys' clothes yourself? Maybe the honest approach is best as they don't appear to be willing/able to take hints!

My parents do the same with presents and I love it, but I am unsentimental and would prefer that my two just get things that they will need/use. My PILs are much more thoughtful in a way, but we often end up with things they have or aren't really played with because they don't ask.

My parents also buy some clothes but they know the styles I like. PILs buy things that I wouldn't put the boys in (lots of slogan t shirts and the like). But they are kind hearted so I make them wear them in the garden a few times so I can take a photo or two and then they remain at the back of the drawer until i can pass them on.

This isnt about clothes, or them "helping you out". Or about money. It's about control and them overstepping boundaries. If it were they would just give you a cheque and let you choose or jusy buy the items specified.

You know them best. Would subtle dig/ jokes work best "you're taking away all my joy in choosing to things for my children." Or "you'd think nanny would have got bored of buying children's clothes having had her turn with daddy." Or just be direct. It's very kind of you to offer but I would prefer to choose my own childrens clothes from now on. I have this with my parents and its very wearing.

I hope you don't have other nieces and nephews- otherwise it won't be long until they attempt the "Christmas coup" that happens in our family every year. I choose my kids a Christmas outfit. Every year they try and buy one which matches for all their grandchildren. It's dull.

If they won't listen then just accept the clothes and either give them away/sell them, or keep them but don't use them. If you do the latter, then a couple of times sending a message about how the boys didn't get a chance to wear a lot of the clothes they bought for them, and would they like them back to pass on to anyone should get the message through.

You can't stop them buying, but if it is unwanted and unreasonable intrusion (which it is after you have told them repeatedly to stop) then you can certainly just not put your children in the clothes they buy.

I have this too (the clothes) and haven't dared start a thread on MN about it for fear of being flamed! But choosing clothes for your children (excepting those in financial hardship, and I do accept this is a first world problem) is one of life's joys. My DDs have wardrobes stuffed with clothes which I don't like at all. I would have enjoyed choosing their wardrobes, but as money is tight DH gets a bit pissy when I buy them clothes, because of course it's completely unnecessary - MiL has done it all . All I get to choose is knickers and nighties...

OP YANBU, it does seem like they want to control rather than simply being generous. I agree with shovetheholly's approach - smile and accept where it doesn't really matter to you, but draw the line on things where it does. And on those things just keep saying "that's very kind but we don't need help with x thanks" or "that's very kind but I'd really like to buy the boys clothes myself this time"

charleston I agree it's best for the OH to speak to his parents - not because the OP is in any way incapable, but because it's easier to be blunt with your own parents than with your in laws.